Tap clamp



Patented Aug. 19, 1941 UNITED sTArEs PAT-ENT :oF-MCE 2,253,432 TAP `Tiliii`s`Fi Johnson, Atlanta, Ga. "'Aiilictioh Jani-;ary 11, 1939,' sedar-N6, 250,456 claims'. (clfisiz) Thi ifiiftib *relates 'to ta damps 'for hi'gh volta eti'ansiiiission lines'and 'aims, 'among other Obie ts, to provide'nvelmeans to hold -af'screw clamp firmly grip'ped ena Conductor andto bre- 'v`ent it hom becoming loose on" account of tima r Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4--4 of Fi 1.

Referring particularly to the drawing, the

clamp there shown for illustrative purposes, is

of the same general type as that covered by the aforesaid patent. It` comprises a hook-shaped body l having a curved bill ll adapted to engage a conductor i2. The' hook is reinforced by a vertical rib 13 having lateral bosses I 4 to which an H-shaped clamping member i5 is pivoted. The clamping member has downwardly bent arms IB to guide the hook on the conductor and presents a face of substantial length to engage the conductor.

In this instance, powerful spring pressure is applied to the clamping member l5 to maintain good electrical contact when the clamp tends to loosen, due to Vibrations or relative movements of the conductor and clamp. This is accomplished by a clamping screw or an ordinary eye-bolt |1 which is used to transmit spring pressure to the clamping member. In accordance with this invention, the lower portion of the hook body is enlarged to provide an integral nut-holding frame l8 in the form of an integral yoke having a non-circular or rectangular opening or pocket le to receive a nut 20 on the eye-bolt and hold it against rotation. This pocket extends through the opposite side walls of the clamp body l so that the nut can be inserted from either side and grasped between the fingers of an operator.

The lower part of the opening is enlarged to receive a powerful spring. 2l of greater size than the sie. The pattern wall 'of 'the emargmnt pro- 'vi'des a flat ?seat forthespring, The bolt-*extnds 'freely *throhgn holes 22' and 'zz -m `th'eloott'o'm'and tp 'wan's bf the "enlargen'ent shcwnin theareresam atht,"N'o; 1,900,990, 'the clamp body 'hasan iin'tegral t'ap' arin-:21 exbight portion. In this instance, the tap arm is integral with the front wall of the enlargement. Its arrangement is such that an operator may apply the clamp to a live line by means of an ordinary operating tool or stick while standing behind and a safe distanc from the depending tap conductor 25.

Now, lt will be noted that the nut 20 is free to slide axially in its opening or pocket !9. When the eye-bolt is turned to loosen the clamp, the nut slides upwardly first to release the spring 2l and permit it to expand to its limit; then, the nut rests on the spring and the bolt backs out of it, so that the clamping member is free to swing down. When the bolt is tightened or screwed up, its end first engages the clamping member and, then, the nut compresses the spring until the necessary gripping pressur is applied. The washer is usually fully compressed to serve as a rigid abutment and its spring action serves to prevent the clamp from loosening. In other words, the nut acts as a movable spring abutment. When the conductor is clamped in this manner, the clamp cannot be loosened even though relative vibratory or oscillatory movements of the clamp and Conductor may cause some wear. The spring will always maintain a good grip and, hence, good electrical contact, within the limits of its compression.

From the foregoing description, it will be seen that the improved clamps are very simple and rugged in construction. They are as easy to manipulate as the ordinary clamps and will last almost indefinitely. All of the par-ts may be made of bronze 'or other suitable rust-proof metal. Moreover, they can be manufactured and sold at a very reasonable cost.

obviously, the present invention is not restricted to the particular embodiment thereof herein shown and described.

What is claimed is:

1. A tap clamp f or high tension transmission conductors comprising, in combination, a hookshaped body having an integral enlargement be low the bight portion opposite the hook; a movable Conductor gripping member cooperating with the hook; a substantially rectangular opening extending transversely through the enlargement at right angles to the hook; a nut inserted in said opening through either side of the body and held against rotation by the front and rear walls of the opening; a clamping bolt extending through the enlargement threaded through the nut and engaging said gripping member; a powerful spring member on the bolt between the nut and the bottom wall of the pocket exerting sufficient pressure on the gripping member to prevent ordinary Vibrations of the clamp relative to the Conductor; and a tap arm on the front side of said enlargement.

2. A tap clamp for high tension transmission conductors comprising, in combination, a hookshaped body having an enlargement opposite the hook; a Conductor grip-ping member having substantial gripping surface coacting with the hook; a non-Circular pocket formed in said enlargement and providing a nut-receiving opening eX- tending transversely through the body at right angles to the plane of the hook; a nut inserted in said pocket and held against rotation therein; a clamping bolt extending loosely through the enlargement and threaded through the nut with its end engaging said clamping member; a powerful washer-like spring member on the bolt of larger diameter than the nut and seated in the bottom of the pocket to apply firm gripping pressure to a Conductor and prevent the clamp from loosening due to ordinary Vibrations; and a tap arm on the front of the enlargement opposite the end of the hook arranged to suspend a tap conductor vertically when the clamp is connected.

3. A tap clamp for high tension transmission conductors comprising, in combination, a hookshaped body having an enlargement opposite the hook; a Conductor gripping memberhaving substantial gripping surface coacting with the hook; a non-Circular pocket formed in said enlargemerit and providing a nut-receiving opening extending transversely through the body at right angles to the plane of the hook and having an enlarged pocket portion at its lower end; a nut inserted in said pocket and held against rotation therein; a clamping bolt extending loosely through the enlargement and threaded through the nut with its end engaging said clamping member; a powerful washer-like spring member on the bolt of larger diameter than' the nut and seated in the bottom of the enlarged pocket portion to apply firm gripping pressure to a conductor and prevent the clamp from loosening due to ordinary Vibrations; and a tap arm on the front of the enlargement opposite the end of the hook arranged to suspend a tap oonductor vertioally when the clamp is connected.

TOMLINSON F. JoHNsoN; 

